Erin Davoran draws on her vast Ohio University knowledge to give some pointers to freshman
Freshmen, you finally made it to college. Congratulations. But be warned: before you know it, it’ll be over.
Time is a weird phenomenon that seems to speed up as we get older. That couldn’t be more true for me right now. Spending eight years in grade school felt like a walk. Four years of high school was more of a jog. The past three years at Ohio University have felt like a run. This last year will surely be a sprint.
So as you prepare to have your life speed up and the next four years go by faster than you ever thought possible, there are some things you should know.
ROOMMATES
Live with friends from home with caution. Being stuck together in an 11-by-12 room puts even the strongest friendships to the test. Besides the close living quarters, the stress of school, the mess of new friends and the many ways you yourself will inevitably change might make you wish you and your high school best friend decided to live in the same hallway instead of room.
On the flip side, having a random roommate could result in a dream-come-true friendship, your worst nightmare or any shade of gray in between. Don’t go in with expectations — good or bad. Just unlock your dorm (with your key which will be very expensive to replace if you lose it — fair warning) and enter into this social experience with an open mind and flexibility.
FRIENDS
You may stay and/or become close with your roommate. Most likely though, you’ll create an array of other friendships — in your dorm, classes, student organizations, greek life, parties, etc. You meet more people than you could ever imagine in college, especially freshman year. Some people click, others don’t. And though you’ll make a lot of connections in the next four years, don’t assume you will stay friends with everyone until graduation — and that is OK, just be careful before signing any leases.
BURST YOUR BUBBLE
No matter where you’re from, you have lived in a bubble. Burst the bubble. Meet people who aren’t like you. Listen to people who have a completely different life experience than yours. College is a culture shock. Let it shock you. Learn about the cultural differences you witness. Take a diversity studies class. Pay attention in a women’s, gender and sexuality studies class. Attend an event hosted by the Multicultural, Women’s or LGBT centers. Read. Vote. Learn. Listen before you speak.
BE YOU
College is a bubble of its own. This is the time to find your authentic self, and you couldn’t be in a better place for it. Athens is the most accepting town and usually the most loving. The general attitude is do, wear and be whatever floats your boat. Go out in a dress and heels or an OU sweatshirt. Dance on a street corner (for fun, not money). Find out what you believe, who you love, who you are. Being at OU gives you the once in a lifetime opportunity to change, explore, grow. Use it.
GET INVOLVED
There is a wealth of opportunity here to get involved in whatever interests you. We have more student organizations than bars. There’s improv and acting troupes, media organizations and publications, student government, greek life, community service opportunities (that don’t have to be court-ordered), club and intramural sports teams, university events that are usually free, etc. JOIN. It’s worth it.
BE STUPID
The great and wise Tom Petty once said, “You have four years to be irresponsible here, relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember the time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So stay out late. Go out with your friends on a Tuesday when you have a paper due on Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. The work never ends, but college does.” Listen to him.
DON’T BE TOO STUPID
Yes, this is a time to make mistakes and learn who you are, but don’t take it for granted. Student debt is real and horrible. Don’t waste your money. Go to class. Even if you’re in a lot of gen eds you don’t think you’ll like, what you learn might surprise you or spark an interest in a field you’d never thought about. Mostly, these required classes are forcing you to learn things which will make you smarter and more impressive to people. I hear older people say often that they wish they knew more. With our technology and the college education you’re receiving, you get to know more. And don’t slack off so much freshman year that your GPA can’t recover. It’s a lot easier to start out strong than it is to catch up later.
Don’t waste your meal plan. You pay a lot for it. Probably too much. Eat at the dining halls. I would suggest the Traditional 10 plan your sophomore year to get your money’s worth. And when you eat way too much, go to the gym. It’s technically free, but you’re paying for it through tuition and fees. Take advantage of that resource because the “freshman 15” is real. Most of you will never have a free gym again.
Don’t get arrested or get so drunk or high you take a trip to the E.R. That stays with you, especially through bills. The ambulance ride to O’Bleness can be more than $500. The costs of the emergency room and the emergency room doctor are thou- sands of dollars. And if you need tests, the cost just grows. Getting in legal and/or medical trouble jeopardizes your academic future and has real, serious consequences.
Be smart when it comes to sex. College has the reputation of being a time for casual sex and drunken hookups. Tho on the surface this seems very rebellious, fun and inconsequential, it can be very dangerous. First and foremost, sex HAS to be consensual. Consent has to be given soberly. This isn’t just me saying it, but the state of Ohio. You cannot give consent when you’re drunk.
According to One in Four USA, one in four college women have survived rape or attempted rape. Think about that number as you meet all kinds of new people at OU. Think about all the women you befriend and how many of them will be sexually assaulted — 25% of them. Let’s change that.
Fight for what you believe in. Become a well-rounded, understanding, open-minded student and citizen. Go to class. Get to know your professors. Use your resources. Cherish your time. Have fun.
HERE’S SOME ADVICE
FROM SOME RECENT GRADUATES
Eat at every Athens food place. A bad grade is NOT the end of the world. Join student organizations. Try to meet someone new every day. Don’t be afraid to make new friends. Go abroad if you can. Don’t get a fake ID freshman year. Get kicked out of house parties and attend Red Brick on Wednesdays and Thursdays — and then avoid that place forever more. Complete a bar shuffle by the time you graduate. At the end of senior year, marvel at the beauty of Athens from atop Pawpurr’s roof or the city parking garage. And remember: we’re all Bobcats. We all love each other. This place is home.
